Dear Friend,
One year to the day before my closing Sunday at Parkside, we began studying John chapter 17 together. Archbishop William Temple described the chapter as being perhaps the most sacred passage in all four Gospels. It takes us to the very heart of Jesus as He speaks to the Father on behalf of His own. Having spoken to the disciples, preparing them for His departure, Jesus then opens His heart and provides us with a glimpse that takes us, we might say, behind the scenes.
The High Priestly Prayer series at Parkside proved to be as challenging as it was encouraging. John Calvin observed that Jesus “shows teachers an example, that they should not only occupy themselves in sowing the Word, but by mixing their prayers with it should implore God’s help, that His blessing should make their work fruitful.”
Perhaps, in the goodness of God, as this series airs on the Truth For Life daily program in March, each of us will be helped in the spiritual discipline of prayer. You may remember how when the late Billy Graham was asked toward the end of his life if he had any regrets, he said, “I wish I would have prayed more.” As with physical exercise, we know the benefit of participating even when we don’t feel like it. How often have we participated reluctantly in corporate prayer only to find our souls refreshed?
Spurgeon urged his congregation along these lines: “We should pray when we are in a praying mood, for it would be sinful to neglect so fair an opportunity. We should pray when we are not in a proper mood, for it would be dangerous to remain in so unhealthy a condition. Prayer is as suitable for any spot on earth as praise is suitable for any place in heaven.”
Susan reminded me this week of how her mother routinely quoted parts of Philippians 4:4–6 in a loose paraphrase: “Don’t worry about anything, pray about everything, tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.” There are many books that help us to pray, and this month, Praying the Bible by my friend Donald Whitney is in that category. He shows us how to use the words of Scripture as the basis for our prayers so that we can experience a richer, more meaningful prayer life. I commend it to you warmly.
Thinking along these lines, it is important for me to let you know how much I covet your prayers. John Newton in 1776 told his congregation that he was much in need of their prayers: “It is ... no small thing to stand between God and the people, to divide the word of truth aright, to give every one their portion, to withstand the counter tides of opposition and popularity, and to press those truths upon others, the power of which, I, at times, feel so little of in my own soul. A cold, corrupt heart is uncomfortable company in the pulpit.”
And so, as we approach the end of the first quarter of a new year, our focus remains under God to see unbelievers converted (do take up the offer of requesting three copies of The Man on the Middle Cross), to see believers established, and to see local churches strengthened. (Your prayers for pastors and church leaders will help uphold their ministries.)
Thank you for your faithful partnership, which is making it possible for the good news of Jesus to be heard and read around the world.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9).
With my love in the Lord Jesus,
Alistair
